nearby.
Nobody moved toward her.
Nobody offered him anything.
He stood there awkwardly, watching his daughter breathe.
He opened his mouth.
Finally, he asked, “Can I hold her?”
I studied him.
“When did you last ask how her breathing treatments were going?”
He opened his mouth.
Closed it.
“I don’t know.”
“You can learn to be her father.”
“No,” I said. “You don’t.”
I let the silence sit.
Then I said, “You can learn to be her father.”
He nodded quickly.
“But you don’t get to visit the role whenever it feels convenient.”
“I know.”
I lifted Chloe myself and placed her carefully in his arms.
Barbara looked at him.
“Do you?”
He nodded.
I lifted Chloe myself and placed her carefully in his arms.
Eric looked terrified.
“Support her head,” I said.
Even Eric gave a tired half smile.
“I know.”
Barbara snorted.
“Clearly we aren’t assuming anything anymore.”
